Convertible car



c. B. STEELE.

couvumal; cm. errucmou FILED An. 4. 1919.

Patented Feb. 3,1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEEI I 0 C. B. STEELE. CONVERTIBLE m.

APPLICATION flbED APR. 4. l9l9.

Patented Feb. 3,1920.

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C. B. STEELE.

CONVERTIBLE CAR.

APPLICATION FILED APR- 4, 9]9. I I I v V 1,329,440, Patented Feb. 3,1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

0,6. STEELE.

CONVERTIBLE CAR. APPLICATION FILED APR. 4. I9II9.

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65 67 3? A v 53 f +7 v as fo 61- 52 a2 CHARLES BREWSTER STEELE, on NEW YORK, N. Y.

CONVERTIBLE CAR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 3, 1920.

Application filed Apri14, 1919. Serial No. 287,450.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLEs BREWSTER STEELE, a citizen of the United States, and resident of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Convertible Car, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is a convertible passengerv car, of strong, practical and safeguarding construction having window openings approximately extensive from the carlines to the car floorings, within which the mere lowering of the sash instantly transforms the vehicle into a weather sealed storm proof winter car, or thesiniple raising of the sash reconverts the vehicle into a wide open air-penetrating summer car. A single car thus capable of delivering reliable operative service of two cars in one, and insuring protective efficiency and de-, pendable schedule in all kinds of'weather and temperatures during every day of the year, will enable railways to eliminate and dispense with the use of a double equipment of separate and distinct winter and sum-' l g c and constitute a potential factor in the economic solution of first cost investment, maintenance, operative, and overhead expenses and their relation to earning capacity and fare charges. Every moment that a car isi notoperating in scheduled service, it is a dead asset; ac-

tuary statistics affirming that street car' riding is restricted during cold and inclement weather to necessity and expediency, but that during warm and clement weather pleasure riding so greatly increases passenger traffic that the open summer car has been found the best earning asset of a.v

road.

Another object of my invention consists in the construction of strong barrier guards for the window openings that protect the sash from damage when the sash are in lowered position, with free vision therethrough, but when the sash are in raised position safely guard passengers against the dangers and accidents of collisions, flying missiles, or the protrusion of persons, their heads, limbs, and clothing, while affording a free circulation of air throughout the car; the complete conversion to or from a closed or wide open car, being instantly and easily accomplished by passengers, conductor, or motorman, while the car is traveling at any rate of speed without interference with its operation or schedule.

Another object of my invention consists in constructing each of the underframe side sills of plural parallel members, spaced apart, and seating and clasping the uprights therebetween, thereby obviating the cutting and mortising of uprights; increasing the strength and rigidity of the car structure, and enabling the uprights, sash, I or guards to be conveniently,expeditiously and economically repaired or replaced by the removal and readjustment of a few bolts and fastenings, permitting the quick return of the car to operative service and schedule.

Another object of my invention consists in increasing the rigidity of the body structure by linking and bracing one upright" with another from end post to end post along the longitudinal axis of the car body at a suitable distance above the car flooring, so that such side braces may perform the double function of strengthening the car framing and form comfortable arm rests for passengerswhen'the window openings are in either raised or lowered position.

Another object of my invention consists in securing the sill flanges of each platform knee to the inner member of each of the plural parallel side sills, thereby obtaining a stronger anchorage of the knees with increased underframe strength and rigidity, enabling thedisposal of the knees at any desired point relative to the end sills with less curvature of knee elbow distance intermediate the stirrups and knee sill flanges.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal elevation of a typeand design'of a car such as disclosed in my copending application Serial Number 282,88011- renewed Mar. 15, 1919, now Patent #1,808,5l1, issued July 1, 1919, showing window openings, between the uprights extending from the roof caves to the car flooring, within which are sash movably 0perative to raise and lower. rier guards are shown across the 'window openings protecting the persons, heads,

Openwork bar-' having the sash thereininlowered position and protected from damage by an open- -work barrier guard, on one side of the car,

with the window-opening entirely exposed by the sash being in raised position 'WltlilH the roofing, and the entirely exposed window-opening protected by the open-work barrier guard for safeguarding passengers from danger, on the other side of the figure, with the brace-arm rest shown at convenient average height above the passenger seat.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary cross section showing a1 window opening "Wlth the sash 1n lowered posltion, protected by an open-work barrier guard, the exterior section of the guard protecting the sash from without,

while its interior section protects the sash against damage from the feet and bodies of passengers or otherwise, from within.

Fig. i is a fragmentary cross section showing sash in lowered position in a windowhopening, with the exterior section of the open-work barrier guard ending at the level of the brace-arm rest, its interior section movably operative, and a connective fixture mutually operative to fac1l1tate the raising and lowering of the interior barrier guard section with the sash, and the brace-arm rest located at a'suitable distance above the ear flooring.

1 Fig. 5 1s a fragmentary cross section showing the sash in lowered position with a barrierguard movably operative section in raised position a'bove-the level ofthe bracearm rest, and non-frangible, transparent material formingthe translucent portion of the sash.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary cross section of a window-opening in lowered position and employing a non-frangible mater1al therein, with an interior barrler guard for protecting passengers when the sash are in raised position. i

Fig. 7 is a modification of a fragment of a car, in elevation, showing substantially the same elemental features of Fig. 1; the a lower sash section formed of an opaque panel and the window-opening terminating at a point above-the car floor, which 1s indicated by dotted lines, and the brace-arm rest designated in full lines across the exposed window-opening.

"Fig. 8 is fragment 'of aside elevatlon of a car showing the sash in lowered position;

with a movably operative guard section indicated by dotted lines and lowered to the top level of the brace-arm rest.

' Fig. 9 is a fragmentary cross section pro- .jection of Fig. 8 showing the sash and movof one end of a plural parallel side sill and an end sill, showing the arrangement of seating and clasping window frame uprlghts therebetween, with a platform knee secured to the inner section of the side sill.

Fig. 12- is a top plan view of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary elevation of a car showing window-openings with the sash in lowered position and protected by barrier guard sections front and rear up to the level of the brace-arm rests, and the movably operative barrier guard section in raised position abovethe brace-arm rest.

Fig. l-l is a fragmentary perspective of a portion of the combinative longitudinal uprights brace and arm-rest of angle bar construction with suitable arm-rest covering materiahshowing a method of notching and clasping the brace-arm rest to the windowuprights.

Fig; 15 is a fragmentary perspective of two uprights and their longitudinal bracea-rm rest, showing the brace-arm rest fittingly clasping the uprights, when constructed of materials such as wood.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary cross section of the plural parallel side sill with an upright seated and clasped therebetween,and braced and secured by angle iron brackets and angle bar stifi'eners.

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary perspective of a portion of a plural dual parallel side sill, and an upright, showing the angle iron securing brackets, angle bar stifl'eners, and heating radiators within housings between uprights, produced by the plural dual side sills, all of which is hereinafter more fully described in the specification, designated in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals represent like parts in the different figures respectively.

The numeral 1, represents a passenger car, conforming to general standard design, but of such type as shown in my copending application, Serial Number 282,880'1, renewed March 15, 1919, now Patent #1,808,511, issued July 1, 1919; numerals 2 and 3 designating ingress and egress doors, and 4 the bodv portion of the car. respectively.

Protracted window openings, 5, extend approximately from the car roof eaves to the flooring within which movably operative window sash, 6, 7 and 8, are raisable within the roofing, or are lowerable to the window-sills, 9, located at the fioorline, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, when the dual parallel type of side-sills, 10, and 11, are used, but window sillsmay be located at short distance above the fioorline should it be desirable to utilize side-sill construction such as designated by numeral, 12, shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, or other sidesill structure suitable to subserve the purpose of extensively protracted window openings may be substituted; The sash, 6, 7 and 8, are suitably operative to completelyexpose the window-openings, 5, thereby converting the vehicle into a wide-open summer car, or reversibly operative to reconvert the vehicle into a completely closed storm and weatherproof wintencar, by means of transparent sectional sash, providing light throughout the openings when in closed position, but any other type of sash, or closures may be employed, and the closures may slide, fold, buckle, or otherwise adjustably close or expose the openings, 5, and still preserve the broad principle of by invention, Barrier guards 13, of any suitable construction and securement, preferably openwork, extend across the window-openings, 5, from the window-sills, 9, to a convenient height,'but preferably of such range and sufliciency to protect and safeguard passengers from dangers and accidents incidental to flying missiles, or protrusion of their heads, bodies, limbs, and clothing when the sash, or closures, are positioned to expose the windowopenings, the barrier-guards, 13, also, performing the additional function of protecting the sash, or closures, from damage when they are positioned to close and seal the window-openings; my novel construction and principle of invention thus producing and disclosing a car having absolute and instantaneous convertibility, vice-versa, from and to a perfectly safe wide-open summercar, or completely closed and sealed weather-proof winter-car, increasingly lighted from without, and diffusing additional lamplight from within during nighttime along the entire lower side lines of the car, thereby enabling passengers entering and leaving the car to avoid dangerous places, moisture, or holes in the adjacent roadway. The barrier guards may be constructed of single sections, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and the transparent portions of the sash or closures, provided with a translucent glass composition capable of withstanding and resisting excessively severe shocks, blows and strains without breakage that may suitably protect the interior surfaces of the sash, or closures, from damage incidental of passengers feet, chattles, et cetera, or the barrier guards may be constructed in sections proto one another, so greatly increasing the rigidity of the car throughout the belt-line region that the strength of the entire plan structure to resist stress and strain is superior to cars not provided with extensively protracted window-openings; the braces, 14,

also, combining and performing the double functlon of confortable arm-rests for passengers, located at the convenient approximate height of the belt-line, and thereby permitting and enabling the sash, or clo sures, to be moved and adjusted to any desired position of their own sphere of operation without interference or contacting with the brace-arm-rests.

The numeral, 15, denotes the carflooring, laid suitably convenient of the side-sills,

when the dual side-sills, 10 and 11 are used,

. on the guard, 20, so that when the sash is raised the device .16, would engage with the lug, 18, and raise'the guard, 20, to the de sired limit of its grooveway, the thus enforced stoppage of the guard, 20, causing the mechanism of the device, 16, to operate the lug, 17, to disengage and pass the lug, 18. The lowering of the sash similarly operates the mechanism controlling the lug, 17, to pass the lug, 18, and then contact with the lug, 19, and carry the guard, 20, with the sash down to the sash sill to its position when the opening is weather sealed, and while several forms of stationary and movable barrier guards, and a type of mutually engaging and operating means is shown in the drawings, any type of guards or latching, unlatching, locking, unlocking, engaging, disengaging, or passing means, or mechanical device may be utilized to impart a omitted.

coactive operative movement of the sash and guards, and any desired type of sash and method of their movement, displacement, raising, lowering, or housing may be employed, and the guards may be fixed, moved or operated individually, or by coactive means, or any other modification made and employed in the construction and operation of the sash and guards, without departing from the intent, purpose, spirit and broad rinciple of my invention, which comprises 0th in its parts and its entity the practical, economic, eliicient, standardized production of an ever ready, really, fully, and completely convertible car, that can be instantaneously converted from a winter car to a summer car, or vice versa; that includes equal completeness in either of its forms of conversion, thereby providing a safe, comfortable, pleasant, and enjoyable means of transportation for every day in the year, during all varieties of weather and conditions of maintenance and operation.

In Fig. 5 is shown a modification in which the exterior guard is omitted, with an interior guard, 23, for the protection of the interior surfaces of the sash glass when the window openings are sealed, and for the protection of the lower portion and limbs of passengers when the window openings are unsealed, the guard, 24, being movably operative to a raised position above the arm rest, 25, when the window openings are unsealed to protect the upper portion of the bodies of passengers, and movably operative to be lowered to aposition level with the top of the arm rest, 25, and between the guard section, 23, and the interior surface of the sash, when window openings are sealed. i

In Fig. 6 is shown a modification in which the interior guard, 26, is stationarily located to protect the heads, limbs, and clothing of passengers when the window opening is unsealed, and protect the sash from the feet andlimbs of passengers when the window opening is sealed by the sash.

In Fig. 7 is shown a modification of a fragment of a car body, 28, with translucent sash weather sealingtwo window openings, a lower sash section, 29, having opaque panel portions, 30, and 31. The exposed window opening, 32, is protected by the guard, 33, which is shown in its raised position that protects the heads, limbs, and clothing of passengers from protrusion, the brace-arm rest, 14:, showing through the screenwork, and car wall, 35, extending above the floor line, 36, indicated by the dotted line, 37, the exterior guard being In Fig. 8 is shown fragmentary modification of Fig. 7, in projection thereof, showing the window opening weather sealed fit, the sash sections,

by glass sash, and the guard, 38, shown by dotted lines in its lowered position extending from the brace-arm rest to the fioorline along the inner side of car wall, 39, the lower sash section being transparent.

In 9 is shown cross section, broken away, on the projection of Fig. 8, showing the window opening sealed by glass sash, 40, theprotective barrier guard, 41, in lowered position protecting the sash glass, and its groove, 42 into which it is raised when the opening is exposed.

In Fig. 10 is shown a modification substituting solid opaque lower sash sections,

43, having sash sills, -14, upon which the sash sections 7 weather sealingly rest and p 7, and 8, being provided with combinative detachable hinge fixtures, 45, that permit the transparent sash sections, 8, to be detached from the sections 7, and be removed from the car, if desired, in winter time, and solid opaque sections, as substituted therefor and adjusted iinmovably in the openings, to form, for instance, the equivalent of solid side walls for that portion of the car body, during the cold weather period, the movably operative sash sections, 6, and 7, thence forming the car windows. The lower interior safety-guard, such, for instance, as shown in Fig. 5, and" designated by the numeral 23, would, also, beremoved, and the guard, 16, that reciprocates in the groove, 17, of Fig. 10, would be utilized to protect the heads and upper portion ofthe bodies of passengers from danger and protrusion, or protective barrier guards such as designated, for instance, bynumeral 13, in Fig. 3, or by numeral 26, in Fig. 6,.may be utilized when the sash sections 43, are thus employed, or the opaque lower sash panel section, {13, may be uniixed, or may be hingedly adjusted to move and operate with the sash sections, 6, and 7, or any other suitable means may be employed for guarding unsealed window openings, should it be desired to use solid opaque lower sash sections susceptible of being unfixed, and removed from the car, such, for instance, as shown and designated by the numerals 46, and as, in Fig. 10,

Side-sills, are shown in Fig. 11, formed of dual parallel plates, 19, and 50, spaced apart thus enabling the window-uprights, 51, and 52, to be made of uniform integrity, and so rigidly seated within and between the sill plates and firmly clasped thereby, that the heretofore weakening of the uprights at their points of unition with the side sills by notch and mortise joint cuttings is eliminated, and by thus dually reinforcners, and sides of the underframe are thus,

also, materially strengthened to resist shock from collisions, and should the outer sill plate, -19, for instance, be subjected to such an extraordinary force of impact as to dent it, the spaced apart parallel inner plate, 50, would act as a warding buttress to the outer plate, -19, and prevent wreckage of the framing, and if the uprights were injured, the exterior plate, 49, and any of the uprights can be readily and easily removed, repaired, and replaced without disturbing the integrity of the balance of the car structure. Likewise the sash, barrier-guards, and various sections and parts of the underframe,

and uprights may be detached and reattached, without detaching other elements of the construction.

The platform knee, 65, having its sill flange, 68, secured to the inner side of the plate, 50, and clamped therewith to the plate, 49, by the shoulder bolts, 69, permits shortening of the lateral bend of the knee elbow between the side-sill and the upholding stirrup, 65, and reduction of knee torque and weight stress. The sill may be. constructed of dual plates, and stiffened by angle bars, 61, and 62, or may be dual angle pieces of unequal legs forming a bottom thereto, or girders, I beams, channels, or any style of models employed, and the end sills, preferably made of channels, may be seated, hung, or secured in any manner, or at any desired level relative to the side sills, it being designed to utilize trade stock models throughout the car construction.

In Fig. 13 is shown a portion of the side structure of a car body illustrating the employment of the strong sill construction disclosed in Fig. 11 that enables the protracted window openings to extend downto the sash sill, 70, with the sash shown in closed position sealing the window openings, and both sides of their glasses protected by the exterior and interior sections of the barrier guards, 18, and 13, while the unsealed and completely exposed protracted window opening, 5, has the reciprocating upper section barrier guard,.13, inraised position above the combinative uprightbrace-arm rest, 14:, thereby protecting the bodies and clothing of passengers above and below the brace arm-rest, while permitting free vision and circulation of air therethrough.

In Fig.14 is shown .aperspective frag ment of the longitudinal brace, 14, for rigidly staying and trussing the window uprights, or posts, and side frame structure, that also forms arm-rests between the up rights, modified in construction by the employment of a metal angle bar, 71, with joints, 72, m-ade'in its plan leg that fit around and clasp the uprights, while the perpendicular leg, 7 3, stretches in longitudinal continuity across the uprights, finished with a covering, 74;, ofwood, or other suitable material, upon which passengers arms may rest. y

In Fig. 15 is shown a perspective fragment of two window uprights, or posts, 75, joined and clasped by the longitudinal brace and arm rest, 14. I

In Fig. 16 is shown a fragmentary cross section on line 1616 of Fig. 12, of the dual parallel plates, 49, and 50, of a side sill, within which are seated and clasped uprights, 76, angle iron securingbraces, 77, and angle bar stifl'eners, 78, and 79.

In Fig. 17 is shown a fragmentary perspective view of the same constructive matter as that of Figs. 11, 12, and 16, with the angle bar stiffener modified by elongation of its lower leg, 80 to form a base for the inclosure, 81, providing housings for the radiators, .82, and 83, between the window uprights for heating the car, and though a Z stiffener, 63, is shown in Fig. 11, any type of bracing, trussing, or cross sills and bolsters may be utilized.

The problem of producing a car having a wide open side structure provided with the required strength and rigidity to resisttwisting' and torsional strain, and combining therewith convenient, simple, easy, and

fool proof means of instant conversion,

vice versa, to and from a completely closed or completely open vehicle, while insuring the absolute safety, comfort, and enjoyment of the riding public, is hereby practically solved and attained by the novel construction of dual membered side sills that permit the seating and clasping of the four uniform uncut surfaces of the window uprights within such socket inclosures; and the linking of the window uprights with one another and the corner posts by the longitudinal brace-arm rests, all thus co6perating to prevent sagging and wrenching of the car structure, additional passenger foot space being also provided by elimination of the heretofore objectionable interior side sill projection along the floor line of the car side walls, the reposition of heating, or other car auxiliaries, in the closures, 81, within the side-sills, thus, also ridding the interior of the car of conduits, radiators,

ventilators, and other impedimenta that have hitherto inconvenienced and annoyingly obare derivatives of the basic principle involved throughout the invention in all the views and compri es, includes and snc0mpasses means: of constructing :cars having H protracted openings extending approxi mately. from the roof eaves down to the floorings, that arerlosable during cold or inclement weather, and unclosable and exposable during warm or pleasant weather, with openings guarded and protected when open by means permitting free vision and circulation of air therethrough, while at the same time the closable and unclosable means and the guarding neans remain a construe tive part of the car and operable with or without removal therefrom. Should it be desired to close or .unclose the openings by use of inovably operative closing and opening meansin connection or in cooperation wlthmovably. operative guarding .means,

such as shown, forinstance, inlig. t, in-.. stead of statlonary guarding means, such,

for instance as shown inFigs. 1, 2 and 3, or otherwise, the same intrinsic essential of invention-would be equally fv einbracedwand involved an any-and. all forms of construe tions, means, ,or use, ,disclosed or not dis closed, and any other mode of construction, in means of dlSPOSltlQn, or operation that will or IIlQJ-JIIVOIVG an equivalent, or produce the same results by the saine means,-:or, other means,; may be utilized without departing from the spirit and bIOMltPTiIlGlPlQ or" my inventionv What I claimrto be my i1 1vention',.is:

1. A I a convertible carvhaving openings therein", means a closlng and unclosing the openings,-and barriers shielding the bodies limbs and heads of occupants of the car when the openings are. unclosed.

2. A convertible canhaving openlngs providedowith means closing and unclosing the I openings :at any selective point thereof and barriers shielding the. :bodieslimbs and headsgof passengers against dangers from wlthout EtIlCllDIOtIL'lSlOH rfrom wlthin when. the open1ngsare ipartlally -or-wholly (un closed. I

8. A car having openlngs "therein 'pro-: vided with closures, arm rests divldlng the openings, barriers above and below-the arm rests, i the car being. convertible and reconve-rtibleviceversa to and from a closed and open car byraising and lowering of the closures and the openings being shielded by the barriers when the closures -arera1sed.

4:. A convertible car having [openings therein provided with shiftableclosuresan d SlllBlCllIlg means above andbelow the car belt-line by which ishifting of the closures.

produces an open or closed car; and shields the openings.

. 5. Acar having openingstherein divided by arm rests,' barriersshielding the opene ings abo'veandbelow the arm restsan'd convertible means sealing and unsealing the openings -by-,whicl1.shifting= of the sealing, unseahng rneans converts and-reconverts thevehicle vice versa from and to a closed or.

open car.

6. A convertible car havlng roofing and flooring, openings extending approximately from the roofing to the flooring provided 8. A convertible car having openings therein stretching above and below the car belthne region provided with closures sealing and unsealing the openings at any selective elevation of the closures, and barriers.

shielding the openings above andbelow, the

beltline region when the openings are sealed or unsealed,

9. A convertible car having openlngs thereinaboveand below the car beltline region provided with: members sealing and.

unsealing theopenings, and barriers shielding the openings. above and below the belt line region.

10. 1A convertible car having openings therein above and below the car beltlineregion provided with translucent sealing and the openings line region.

unsealing members and barriers shielding i above andbelow the. carbelt- 11. A convertible car having openings",

therein above andabelow the carbeltline regionprovided withtranslucent and opaque sealing and UllSQELllllgJTlGHll/JGZS and barriers shielding the openings above andbelow-the car beltline region.

12. A mconvertible car having openings.

therein, membersclosing and. exposing the openings. provided with attachable-detach.-

able lower sections interchangeable with attachable sections having a sill member, and barrier, shielding the openings above and below the beltline region of the car.

13. A convertible; car having openings therein provided with transparent sealing against dangersfrom without and protru? sion from wlthln when the openmgs are sealed or unsealed.

141. A convertible car having openings,

therein rovided with means closin and i and unsealing means and barriers shielding the bodiesslnnbs and heads of passengers unclosing .the openings at various closing and unelosing dispositions of the closing unclosing means and barriers shielding both. sides of closing-unelosi-ng means when the L P iQ r-ar l dro 15. A- convertible car having openings therein provided with means closable and unclosable throughout the openings at various dispositions thereof, and openworl; barriers shielding both sides of the closable unclosable means when the closable-unclosable means is in closable disposition and shielding the openings when the closableunclosable means exposes the openings.

16. A convertible car having openings therein provided with closing and unclosing means and barriers shielding the inside and outside of the closing-unclosing means when in closed disposition and shielding the openings when. the openings are exposed.

17 A convertible car having openings therein, arm-rests dividing the openings, barriers shielding the openings aboveand below the arm-rests.

18. A convertible car having uprights divided by members forming upper and lower openings therebetween provided with closable-unclosable means and barriers shielding the upper and lower openings formed by the dividing members.

19. A car having openings therein provided with braces functioning armrests dividing the openings into a plurality of openings above and below the braces, means closing and unclosing the openings and barriers shielding the openings above and below the braces.

20. A convertible car having roofing and flooring, openings extending approximately from the roofing to the flooring provided with means closing or unclosing the openings, and barriers shielding the openings when closed or unclosed above and below the car beltline.

21..A convertible car having openings therein provided with closing and unclo'sing means and barriers shielding the openings when the closing-unclosing means is unclosed and shielding the exterior and interior of the closing-unclosing means when the openings are closed.

22. A convertible car having an opening therein provided with a closure sealing and unsealing the opening and a barrier having an external and an internal section shielding the closure when the opening is sealed and shielding the opening when the opening is exposed.

23. A convertible car having openings therein provided with closures closing and exposing the openings and barriers having movable and immovable sections shielding the closures when the openings are closed and shielding the openings when the openings are exposed.

24:. A convertible car having openings therein provided with movably operative closures exposing or sealing the openings, barriers having movably operative sections shielding the closures when the openings are sealed and shielding the heads, limbs, and clothing of occupants of the car when the openings are exposed, and fixtures CO11= nective of the closures and barriers imparting mutual coaction between the movably operative closures and movably operative sections of the barriers.

25. A convertible car having protracted openings therein extending above and below the beltline of the car, closures sealing or exposing the openings, barriers shielding the closures when the openings are sealed and shielding the openings when the openings are exposed, arm-rests across the openings permitting functioning of the closures and barriers independent and irrespective of the arm-rests.

26. A car having end-sills and side-sills each side sill formed of dual members spaced apartand secured atdiii'erent points extensive of the end sills, a knee secured to the inner member of the side-sill and to the end sill thereby shortening the lateral leverage of the knee elbow and increasing the upholding strength.

27. A car having end-sills and side-sills each side-sill composed of dual members spaced apart, uprights secured between the dual members of the side-sills and heating apparatus within the dual members between the uprights.

28. A car structure including roofing and flooring; side-sills formed of a plurality of members spaced apart; uprights supportinflly clasped within the spaced apart sidesill members; openings protra cting approximately from the roofing to the flooring be tween the uprights. and means closing and unclosing the openin s protracting approximately from the POOfiTlg' to the flooring.

29. A convertible car having roofing and side structure; an under structure provided with side-sills: window-openings in the side structure enabled by the side-sill arrangement to extend approximately from the side- 110 sills to the roofing structure: sash closable and unclosable of the window-openings, and barriers shielding the heads and limbs of occupants of the car.

30. A convertible car having roofing and 115 flooring; window-o enings extending approximately from the roofing to the flooringz'window-sills adjacent thefiooring: sash closably and unclosably operative of the window-openings; armrests adjacent the 120 window-openings, and barriers shielding the window-openings above and below the armrests.

31. A car construction including sidesills formed of members spaced apart; up- 125 rights seated and clasped between the spaced apart side-sill members; braces trussing the spaced apart side-sill members to one another and clasping the uprights. whereby open spaces are formed between the spaced 130 apart side-sill members extending from a brace clasping an upright to a brace clasping another uprlght.

32. A car structure provided with sidesills each formed of a plurality of members spaced apart having flat surfaces opposing each other, members therebetween bracing the spaced apart members to one another thereby mutually forming a plurality of sockets within the spaced apart members and uprights securingly clasped and gripped by and within the sockets.

33. A convertible car having openings therein; means closing and unclosing the openings below the car beltline region; means closing and unclosing the openings above the car beltline region and means shielding the openings both above and below the car beltline region.

34. A convertible car having openings therein: opaque means clos ng and unclosmg the openings .belowthe car belt-line region;

transparent means closing and unclosing the openings above the car beltline region, and means shielding the openings both above and below the car beltline region.

35. A convertible car having openings therein provided with means approximate the car beltline region dividing the openings into a plurality of openings; means closing and uncloslng the openings below the car beltline region dividing means; means clos-.

spaced apart, and platform supports secured interiorly of the 'members of the spaced apart plurality of side-sill members.

CHARLES BREWSTER STEELE. 

